Shopbop is having an insane sale and I couldn’t let it pass without posting about it. I have already stocked up on all my spring/summer favorites (Summer look: Rihanna Wild Thoughts music video) but I didn’t break the website and there is still plenty to be had!

People all over the world use the same excuse for their unhealthy eating habits: they don’t have time. They also use the same excuse for a lack of exercise or failure to go to the gym. However, after reading this article and taking a look at some helpful tips that we can offer, you’ll find that it’s easier than you think to make some small and sustainable changes to your life that will make you healthier.

It’s easy to just say “watch your diet”, so let’s elaborate on what this means. For starters, watch the foods you eat. Consider nutritional values and calorie counts so you can take a more scientific approach to your food. Don’t be afraid to look online for nutritional statistics and suggestions on what to eat in order to get enough macronutrients for a healthy body.

Consider supplements

Supplements can completely change the way you approach your diet. Fish oil, Tongkat Ali extract, multivitamins and even herbal supplements can give you plenty of assistance when it comes to getting a health and fitter body. While you shouldn’t use supplements as a replacement for actual food, they can definitely help to boost your immunity in addition to other important factors

Be more active

It doesn’t take exercise in order to lose weight or be more healthy. Plenty of people can maintain a healthy body without going to the gym–all it takes is being more active. This includes doing things like getting off public transport early and walking the rest of your commute, getting involved with house chores more often or even occasionally replacing your car with a bicycle.

Stop with the sugar

When it comes to eating habits, there’s nothing worse than loading up on sugar. You’ll be surprised at just how harmful sugar is and the benefits you can expect to see if you switch off it. You don’t need to consider alternatives if you don’t like the taste of sweeteners. All you need to do is reduce your sugar intake and you’ll find that you can become much healthier with just a small change in your diet.

Short bursts of exercise

Exercise is often seen as long, strenuous and tiring. Whether it’s cycling for an hour or running for 30 minutes, cardio can take up a huge part of your day. Thankfully, cardio isn’t the only form of exercise that you should care about. High-intensity interval training (HIIT for short) is a fantastic way for busy individuals to get the exercise they need in less than 15 minutes every other day. It’s focused on short bursts of intense training that help you build muscle, burn fat and improve your fitness.

The key is sustainable change

Making drastic changes to your life is difficult. Instead, it’s much better to make smaller changes so that you can actually stick with them instead of giving up after a week or two of sticking to your new goals.

If you’re training for a competition or event at the minute, then you need to be training to win. Even if you don’t want to win, as long as you’re training with the mindset of winning you’ll do better. It is all about the psychological factors that push you here. A desire to win pushes your training efforts further. There are so many different sporting events happening in the world, and most likely in your local area that you can get involved in. A lot of them are just for fun, a lot of them are competitive. Whichever one you’re attending, here’s how training with the mindset of winning, can actually help you win.

Training is made slightly easier by the end goal on your mind, but actually having the motivation to do it is so hard. If you’ve got a few months to prepare, then taking it slow is key. You don’t want to be pushing your body too hard and losing focus, or causing injury. So, for example, if you’re taking part in a running events, you need to start off by training two times a week, and doing a light jog. Just going straight into a sprint for half an hour is only going to put you off the whole process. This is of course, if you know your stamina is low. If you’ve already got a bit behind you, start by training three times a week doing a 30 minute jog. Over the course of a few weeks you’ll notice your stamina and endurance increase. This is when you can slowly increase the speed you’re running at, and the distance you’re doing. People think it is all about the exercise when training, but diet plays just as an important part. The cleaner you’re eating, the better your body is going to function. Fuel it with lean meats, fruits and veg, and the odd treat or two here and there and you’re onto a winner.

During

You might not have been nervous for it before, but as soon as you’re on the start line, and you can see so many people around you cheering, the nerves do begin to kick in. One of the main things you need to remember to do on the day is not push yourself. So many people get themselves hurt during sporting events due to not letting their bodies warm up first, or by going in too hard too soon. There will medical transport services on hand if anything does go wrong, but you should be looking to avoid this where possible. If it is a running race, the most common issue people come across is cramping in the legs. Make sure you’re doing a thorough warm up to begin with, coupled with a good round of stretches. Fueling your body with things like bananas beforehand should prevent cramping.

After

The most important thing you can do afterward is rest and relax. Your body will have been put under pressures that it wasn’t usually used to. A sports massage, a bit of binge eating, and a day or two in bed is exactly what your body is going to need.

When it comes to your career, they say you should dress for the job you want, rather than the job you have. And while professional habits may not be dictated by what you wear, perception remains an incredibly important tool when it comes to impressing senior figures. It may not get you all the way in, but it could just open the door. So how do you polish up your style to look sleek and professional? Turns out its all about paying attention to the details of your look that can elevate it into something polished;

Do The Modern Match

The days of matching your shoes and your bag are definitely over, but the modern way to show that polished finish is to match your shoes with your lipstick. This subtle trick can bring a jolt of colour to monochrome office wear and looks really modern and elegant, plus it gives you the opportunity to experiment with some bold new lip colours.

Try a Jumpsuit

A jumpsuit is the ultimate throw on and go piece for busy mornings, and a tailored style can look super smart when worn with heels and a blazer. The perfect piece to dress up or down, a simple black jumpsuit is a perfect foil to a brightly patterned statement jacket.

Take Care Of The Basics

A polished style often comes down to covering off the basics that too often get neglected when you’re busy. Shoes should always be clean and unscuffed, and clothes should be ironed and free of dust and hairs – keep a lint roller in your desk drawer. Make sure you keep on top of cut and colour appointments to keep your hair looking neat and free from flyaways. Get a stunning smile with orthodontics and use it to full effect when you meet people. And schedule in a regular manicure to keep your nails neat, short and professional – save the nail art for weekends and stick with a nude or a dark red shade.

Choose Your Bag With Care

The ideal work back is a roomy tote in a neutral colour that can hold all of your essentials for the day without them spilling over the sides. Keeping your bag neat is one of those little, almost subconscious things that can signal to others that you have your life together. Use a handbag organiser to keep your possessions organised and easy to grab and remember to include an emergency kit with a safety pin, spare tights, a stain removing pen and other items to help out in the event of a wardrobe malfunction!

Tone Down The Accessories

Coco Chanel once said “Elegance is refusal” and certainly when it comes to maintaining a professional appearance, less is more. Be restrained when it comes to your choice of accessories – a simple, elegant watch or a small necklace is a far better choice than anything too flashy or distracting, such as bangles that make lots of noise when you move. The same goes for your perfume – people shouldn’t be able to smell you coming. Keep your fragrance low key so that people only get a hint of it if they come into close personal orbit.

Looking in the mirror in the morning, you probably sigh every time you notice bags under your eyes or extra lines around your face. You probably resign yourself to the fact that the ageing process has begun, unaware that it’s you who is causing damage to your skin – some of the time anyway. From bad habits we take part in, knowingly or otherwise, we can all affect the way we look on a daily basis. We will list some of them here, so take heed. Mother Nature may not be to blame after all!

Yes, we know you need your caffeine pick me up first thing in the morning, and probably throughout the day too, when your energy flags, but drink too much and your skin will dry out, causing wrinkles. Mix up your drinks during the day, avoiding anything with caffeine in it. Natural fruit juices or water is infinitely better for your energy levels, leaving your skin hydrated, and warding off wrinkles.

Not removing your makeup

Late nights aren’t good for your skin – hello baggy eyes – and neither is leaving your makeup on because you are too tired to clean it off. Not only will you stain your pillows with all the colours of the rainbow, but you are playing havoc with your skin too. The leftover makeup will clog up your pores, and you are going to wake up with a face looking worse than last night’s pizza. Which leads us to the next point…

Popping your zits

So, your face has come out in zits, probably thanks to the makeup issue we have just mentioned – although there are other, more surprising reasons. Your natural instinct is to pop them, but this can be a mistake, especially if you haven’t washed your hands first. You are only spreading the bacteria, leading to a fresh outbreak of zits, so your better option is to use special spot cream from your local pharmacy, or at least wash your hands thoroughly before squeezing those zits, and giving your face a good scrub afterwards.

Spending too long in the shower

We aren’t saying don’t get in the shower – not only will you smell if you don’t, but you won’t be doing your skin any favours, either. On the other hand, you shouldn’t spend too long in there, no matter how relaxing it can be. The heat will dehydrate your skin and will leave it looking red and blotchy. If you don’t want to look like a lobster when you go to work, limit your time in the shower in the morning, or turn the temperature down, at least.

Sun worshippers beware! Too much time in the sun can be bad for your skin, and can seriously affect your health. Not only can it cause sunburn, but it can also lead to skin cancer. To protect yourself, you should lather yourself in sun cream, and spend as much time in the shelter as you can. It’s important to know the warning signs too, such as darkened moles, so make sure you see your doctor for a mole check, etc. if you have any worries.

Squinting and frowning

To be honest, if you are squinting all the time, you probably do need to see your optician and get yourself some glasses or contact lens. And if you’re frowning a lot, it may be time to cheer yourself up a little bit. Both squinting and frowning will add to the lines on your face, so turn that frown upside down before you have to squint at further lines in the mirror.

Not washing your pillowcases

And you thought sleep was supposed to be good for your skin! As well as the dangers of unwashed makeup, you should also clean your pillowcases regularly. As well as the mascara stains, there is also bacteria from the dead skin you leave behind on your pillow. Again, this will lead to acne on your face. So wash your pillowcases regularly, preferably in bleach, and do the same for the rest of your bedding. Bed bugs do bite, after all!

Succumbing to stress

We all get stressed in life, but you do need to find ways to combat it. Not only will stress affect your emotional and mental health, but it can also affect you physically, especially on your skin. Rashes and eczema are common when stressed, as well as increased wrinkle lines and other blemishes. While you can’t permanently eliminate stress from your life, you can reduce the problem, such as taking time out to relax, with activities such as yoga and walking.

Exfoliating a little too much

Okay, so exfoliating is good for your skin, as it clears your pores from bacteria and those pesky free radicals. So, while you should exfoliate occasionally, you don’t want to overdo it. Exfoliate too much and you will dry out your skin, cleaning it of the natural oils your skin needs to stay supple. You can also leave friction marks on your skin through excessive scrubbing. Unless you have extremely oily skin (exfoliate daily), experts say you should exfoliate around 2-3 times a week.

Think about it. How many times in a day do you touch your phone and hold it up to your face? As wonderful as these devices are, they are going to get covered in bacteria. Every time you touch your phone, or let somebody else hold it to see your latest snaps, you are going to spread germs from your hands to your face and jawlines. While you don’t need to wear gloves 24/7 to counter the issue, you should at least carry some antibacterial wipes around with you, giving your phone the occasional clean throughout the day.

Final thoughts

Skin care is important, for health and aesthetic reasons. After reading the habits we have listed above, you may have found the answer to why your skin doesn’t always look it’s best. While clearing up the questions you may have had, following our advice will clear your skin up, too. Still, you should always speak to your doctor or dermatologist if you have any specific concerns. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

There’s nothing better than booking your summer holiday, it can certainly make a cold and dark February feel more bearable. You have something to plan for, something to look forward to- however, many of us swiftly come to the realisation that we’re going to have to get back into a bathing suit! A long winter and an indulgent Christmas means most of us aren’t looking our best, and so swimwear shopping is far from a fun task. However if you plan ahead and follow these tips over the next few months, by the time you come to choose your bikini or swimsuit you’ll be feeling far more confident!

In the new year, most of us vow to quit our damaging vices, exercise more, eat better and sort our our sleeping habits. However a few weeks down the line and when motivation is wearing thin, it’s easy to fall back into old habits. Dont! Use your vacation to revive your motivation, look after your body and not only will you look better but you’ll feel better too.

Consider a Nip Tuck

In some cases, all of the exercise and healthy eating in the world won’t help. If for example you have loose skin or stubborn pockets of fat, a cosmetic procedure might be needed to put them right. Be sure to weight up the pros and cons of plastic surgery, however if it’s something you’ve wanted for a while and will make you feel better about yourself then why not? If you don’t go away until the summer it gives you plenty of time to heal. It will boost your self esteem, and as a bonus swimwear shopping will be a lot more fun.

Visit a Salon

Trying on bikinis while you’re looking pale and hairy is never going to give you the look you want! Instead of putting on swimwear and trying to imagine how you’ll look once you’re sorted, get sorted before you go shopping. Many people find that being tanned makes them look healthier and appear slimmer so this is something you can try. Popping on a bit of false tan or getting a spray tan to show how you’ll look once you’ve been sunning yourself on holiday is a good idea. Have a wax or shave and moisturise before you hit the shops. It will make you feel more confident and it will give you a better idea of how you’ll look when you make an effort.

Choose the Right Swimwear

If you have a hangup about a certain part of your body, don’t feel as though you have to show it off. A one piece or tankini will hide your stomach, or a swim dress/ skirt will hide your legs or bottom. If you have a bigger bust size, ditch the string bikini and choose a wired top that will support you. Choose pieces that fit and flatter your body, rather than just what you like the look of on the hanger.

Picture this: You’re sat at home or in a waiting room and are flicking through a random magazine filled with pictures of beautiful celebrities. They all look amazing. One has a purse that you love, one has a stylish coat, and one just looks like she’s sent from Heaven. At this point, you’re probably drooling over the shoes of one of the Kardashians. They look great, and they all have money, which means that, without their riches, you can’t possibly look as good as them, right? Wrong. Looking amazing has nothing to do with how much money you spend, and you can look just as good as them without the cash. If you want to know how then just keep reading.

Don’t Buy Full Priced

Why should you have to buy anything full priced when you can probably get it, or at least something similar, for cheaper elsewhere? Celebrities might have the cash to buy whatever they like, but, unfortunately, you don’t have that luxury, so you can’t. If you do find something that you like, have a look online to see if you can find it cheaper elsewhere. If not, wait for the store to have a sale, and see if you can snap it up.

Labels Aren’t Important

Unless you plan on visiting https://debtconsolidation.co/ every few months for your ridiculous credit card bills, you should avoid buying labels at all cost. They’re not even important anyway. Labels are a symbol of status, sure, but if your aim is to look amazing, then they’re really not important for that.

Have Statement Pieces

Trust me, you can wear an incredibly simple and plain outfit and still look amazing if you get the accessories just right. The benefit of this is that a sparkly necklace or colourful scarf is sure to be a lot less than a more interesting or glam top or dress, so you come out with the same result, but with a few more notes in your purse.

Buy Shoes You Can Walk In

The phrase “fashion is pain” is one of the most ridiculous things that I have ever heard. Sure, you might look amazing in those expensive killer heels while you’re sat down, but you are going to look ridiculous when you start to attempt to walk around in them. Confidence looks good on everyone and shoes that hurt you aren’t going to make you look confident, so opt for some comfier (and cheaper!) ones instead.

Take Care Of The Hair

You might have the most amazing clothes and accessories, but if your hair doesn’t look good, then you’re not going to look good. You need to make sure that you take proper care of it or it’s going to hold you back. You could even try experimenting with some of the styles on https://www.southernliving.com. Just be sure to visit a local salon, rather than a chain, as they will likely be a lot cheaper and will appreciate your custom a whole lot more.

With societies ridiculous expectations of how people should look, it can seem impossible to look great without buckets of money, but don’t give in. You can look amazing on a budget, so use the tips above to help.

Staying fashionable and updated with the times is a purely fun activity. Let’s face it, while looking great and feeling confident is our end objective, it’s often the journey that we enjoy the most. Headed out with a girlfriend, drinking coffee, going shopping and grabbing a bite to eat is as central to the fashionista experience as trying on new clothes and wearing them to the evening event is.

As you adapt to this lifestyle through gaining a monetary raise at work, or simply experiencing it as something which you consider to be a core part of your identity (such as running a fashion blog on the side,) it can be hard to let this lifestyle go in times of financial need. But why should you? Everyone experiences difficult life circumstances from time to time. This could come through the means of a large bill, helping out a family member with a difficulty, or needing to take that impromptu romantic vacation and as a result spreading your funding just a little too far.

Are there ways to keep up with this lifestyle for the time being, as you sort out your financial woes? We’d say yes, and this is how:

Loan

Not all loans are evil and out to rob you of your precious income. With the right planning (such as before an expected income instalment or other secure dealing,) you can utilize this effectively to your advantage. Even if you have been on the rocks in time’s past, you can find signature loans for bad credit easily online. These can allow you to keep up with your daily obligations, keep treating yourself at the same pace or funding your online blog content, and then make the necessary arrangements as this once again begins paying off. It’s worth considering, because sometimes the simplest solution is the best solution.

Sell Old

Fashion, just like life, never stops changing. For this reason, old trends can die out quickly. Unless you have a warehouse to store your items for posterity, it’s probably likely that you may gain some income in selling those old items, particularly if they’re designer or have some other form of big name brand behind them. Offsetting the cost of your new purchases, even if temporarily, with your current possessions can keep your finances ticking over nicely, or at least plug the holes in your financial difficulty and keeping your lifestyle boat alive just that little bit longer.

Buy Old

Another benefit to following fashion is that old trends come back as quickly as they die out. While certain trends do continually crop up and become the most relevant, it’s not easy to say that we’re living in a certain ‘trend style’ as people might have in the 60’s, 70’s and upwards. Now, people see value in all decades, provided they adhere to some normal fashion staples. For example, double denim was a big no-no in the early 2000’s, and now it’s all of the rage. People realize that fashion is more of an individual effort than ever, so what’s to stop you from enjoying crafting your own look cheaply? Check out the charity stores, vintage stores and warehouse rack sales, you may come across some truly excellent garments at a fraction of the cost. While being on the high street is cool and is part of the experience, sometimes ruffling through the local warehouse sale can be just as satisfying.

We know that with the right outlook and desire to limit your spending, you can gain an almost identical lifestyle experience with a fraction of the cost. Sometimes, it just takes a little wisdom.

The way we look and the way we feel really do go hand in hand. If you’ve fallen into a rut with your style and lost some of your confidence, thankfully there are ways you can change this. Perhaps you dress for comfort on more days than you’d like, or maybe a busy lifestyle means that most days your appearance is the bottom of the priority list. If so, maybe now you could take some time for yourself? Whether they are big or small changes you’re bound to feel more attractive, confident and even happier.

When life gets busy our usual beauty routines can slip- and hair can be one of the first places to show when we’re neglecting ourselves a little. Right now, bad weather combined with central heating can cause it to become dry and brittle. Skipping any regular hydrating hair treatments you do such as masks and oils can leave it prone to damage. If it’s been too long since you had it looked at by a professional, consider visiting the hairdresser. Try a new cut or colour, have extensions fitted or just have a trim with some hydrating treatments.

Experiment With Makeup

One way you can make a huge difference to your appearance is with makeup. If you don’t usually wear makeup, don’t feel as though you need to go out and spend lots of money on products. You could check out Youtube videos for budget makeup looks, and see reviews on cheaper items which you can get for a few dollars from the drugstore. Even a little foundation, some blush and mascara will make a difference and make you look fresher and more awake. If you don’t like it or it goes wrong, you can always wash it off!

Have a Little Work Done

Even the healthiest diet and the best exercise regime can’t fix certain issues with our bodies. Perhaps weight loss has left you with loose skin that you can’t tighten, or drooping breasts? Maybe your under eye bags are making you look tired or perhaps your lips have got thinner with age. Whether it’s a ‘lunch break procedure’ or something more extreme, look into information about plastic surgery and weigh up your options. If it allows you to put right a long standing insecurity, why wouldn’t you?

Buy Flattering Clothes

When it comes to clothes, it’s always worth bearing in mind that you should shop for the body you have, not the body you want. Even if you plan on losing weight, wait until you have reached your goal and then buy new clothes then. Otherwise you run the risk of wearing things now that are too small and ill fitting. Don’t pay too much attention to sizes since these can vary from shop to shop, you shouldn’t be squeezing into items where you refuse to size up as these labels don’t mean much anyway. Try on a couple of sizes and go with what looks and feels right.

We’re going to say what no one else dares to say for fear of sounding like a downer (especially at the one time of the year where positivity seems to burst from the seams), but it can be pretty hard to rock the whole “new year, new me” philosophy when you are rocking the same old job. You’ve just been given a week-plus off for good behaviour and you spent it doing everything you can to forget about your mundane nine to five, only for it to hit you like a snow shovel. However, there is a way to make this reality-slap sting less and it is all to do with your style.

Now, we don’t care what you have been telling your friends and family over the festive period, every girl wonders how they can look as stylish inside the office as they do on the weekends. It’s a natural part of womanhood. Think about it. You spend the majority of your conscious-life at work, which means your work wardrobe is the most important fashion niche in your life. Period.

So, in order to help you grab hold of the “new year, new me” feeling and start this year at your absolute best, we have come up with some top tips to help you feel your absolute best.

Read on to see which style trends need to be given pride of place in your closet this year; the kind that will dazzle all of your colleagues and grab the attention of the higher-ups holding the key to a bigger salary.

The Tailored Blazer

A blazer that fits your shape to a T has long been celebrated as a must-have piece of fashion, and nothing has changed. It is just the easiest way to look both sophisticated and stylish, which is exactly the kind of mannequin you want to be. It doesn’t matter if the sun is shining or the office heater is on; it’s something that can be paired with everything from a blouse to a sundress, a tank top to jeans. If you’re wondering where to start, black is best. It’s a classic. It’s the one that will get more use than anything else. Of course, if you want to start a collection, navy and white are two other good options, as are neutral shades and even printed styles.

The Button-Down Shirt

If we were to walk into a handful of offices, pull out a clipboard and take a poll, the button-down would come out as overlooked and underrated. But to take this staple piece of workwear for granted would be a huge fashion faux-pas, especially in the modern office, as this one on www.urbanoutfitters.com proves. It is one of the jolly-old items that never stops working its magic. Put it on under that tailored blazer you just invested in, slip it on over that pencil skirt you were starting to get a little bit bored of or use it to bring your slacks to life in a way that makes you look like truly polished. We all have the morning where we don’t hear our alarms and find ourselves rushing through shower, breakfast and dressing. Well, the button-down means little to no planning.

Glasses Not Contacts

No one likes a label – unless that label is working in your favor. That’s the exception to the rule, which is why you should be embracing the fact you need glasses instead of hiding it through the medium of itchy-contacts. People who wear glasses look more sophisticated. They look like they are more productive. But why just be a perception when you could quickly visit www.spektrumglasses.com and become the reality. What we are trying to say is, not all glasses were born equal. Some were born to protect your eyes from blue-light (yup, we’re talking about your nasty computer-slash-phone screen) as much as UV light. Buy a pair of these and you’ll find your manager will a) start to take your more seriously, b) realise how great you look, and c) how awesome the work you are delivering is.

The Blouse Is Back

If there is one rule you need to know about when it comes to the workwear wardrobe it’s this: there is no such thing as too many blouses. It’s as simple as that. So, if you walked past a one/two/three/five (delete accordingly) blouses in the January sales that caught your eye then give into that little voice and treat yourself. After all, they’re the kind of things you can wear at work, in the evenings and at weekends, which means they’re gonna get their fair share of wear. Trust us on that.

The Timeless Watch

It only takes one scroll through Facebook-slash-Instagram for you to perform the screenshot maneuver a dozen times. Once again, a watch is one of those accessories that is well worth you struggling to pay rent this month. A classic timepiece oozes sophistication and style and finishes off a look in the kind of way that costume jewelry never can. Of course, if you need to add some more weight to your argument, then you can’t ignore the subliminal messages it gives off; punctuality and timeliness. But before you go and grab something “on point” and “right now” so to speak, try and avoid going for something that is trendy this week, such as an oversized face. Smaller, more classic watches will always be in style. Remember that.

The Black Pump

Choosing shoes is one of the fashion problems all fashionistas face. But, as far as ‘flavor of the weeks’ go, none has been more steadfast or reliable than the classic black pump. Monday morning team building, lunchtime client meetings, a date with your crush after work and a spontaneous weekend on the town; the polished black pump works with them all. It’s sharp, it’s sophisticated, it’s stylish, it’s the cherry on top of almost every outfit and it produces a silhouette that will make you feel a million bucks.

Sure, you may be working the same dull job you keep threatening to leave, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make it work for you this year.